For many in the South, it’s not a proper Christmas table without a big bowl of ambrosia. All the fruits remind many of us older folks of those “Santa” stuffed into our stockings. Until she died, my mama always put some oranges and whole nuts in ours… even as my sister and I became adults. My sis still does that in the stockings she fixes for us.
Always looking for a fun new way to serve old favorites, I had this idea to make shortcakes. Because gosh, isn’t most everything better that way? With some sort of cake or pastry and real whipped cream? You can prepare and set out for guests, or set up a little “ambrosia bar” where they can make their own if serving casual buffet style. These can be as “fancy” as need be in your pretty crystal goblets, or in paper bowls too!
If you are looking for a quick to make dessert with fresh seasonal fruits that will please all, including picky eaters both young and old, you’ll find Ambrosia Shortcakes will be a keeper!
Here’s to you and yours having a blessed and Merry Christmas y’all!
This recipe created for and published in Carolina Country Magazine December 2021.
Food propping/styling and photography © (copyrighted) by Wendy Perry.
Carolina Country Magazine Contributing Recipes Editor
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Ambrosia Shortcakes
Ingredients
- 1 small pineapple, peeled and cut into small pieces
- zest of 1 orange
- 3 oranges, (I used naval and blood oranges)
- 3 clementines
- 1 10-ounce jar sliced maraschino cherries, drained
- 1 cup white seedless grapes, sliced
- 1 5-ounce bag glazed pecans, chopped (or use your own homemade)
- 1 7-ounce bag unsweetened coconut, divided
- 2 pomegranates
- 1 star fruit (carambola), optional
- 2 8-count crescent rolls (I used Pillsbury)
- 3 tablespoons cinnamon sugar
- 1 pint whipping cream, whipped
- Reserved coconut and pomegranate arils
Instructions
Ambrosia:
- Combine pineapple, zest, oranges, clementines, cherries, grapes, pecans, most of the coconut and arils from one pomegranate. Garnish with sliced star fruit. This is the ambrosia.
Shortcakes:
- Preheat oven per instructions.
- Unroll and tear each roll into 2 pieces. Place on baking pan and dust with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake about 6–7 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Store in airtight container for up to a week.
To serve:
- Place one piece of shortcake on a plate. Spoon on ambrosia. Top with a second piece. Add a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with rest of coconut and pomegranate arils.
